January 21, 2026 — Dalena Reporters
Abuja, Nigeria — In a significant escalation of Nigeria’s ongoing counter-terrorism efforts, a Federal High Court in Abuja has issued bench warrants for the arrest of five suspects allegedly linked to the infamous bandit and terrorist kingpin Bello Turji, after repeated failures by the defendants to appear for trial.
Justice Emeka Nwite granted the federal government’s application for bench warrants on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, following the prosecution’s complaint that the suspects were absent without sufficient explanation during a scheduled continuation of their terrorism trial.
The suspects Musa Kamarawa, Abubakar Hashimu (a.k.a. “Doctor”), Samuel Chinedu and Lucky Chukwuma had been arraigned alongside other co-accused in a case that includes an 11-count terrorism charge brought by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF). Bello Turji himself and several others remain at large and are similarly accused in the ongoing case.
The prosecution contends that the defendants were involved in materially supporting terror groups operating in Nigeria’s northwest, including providing resources such as illicit drugs, uniforms, camouflage gear, building materials, and food supplies to camps in Zamfara, Sokoto and Kaduna States. It also alleges involvement in the acquisition and supply of a military gun truck used by another terrorist group claims that underscore the serious security concerns tied to the case.
During Wednesday’s proceedings, none of the four named defendants were present in court when the case was called. Defence counsel told the judge that he had contacted at least one of the suspects, who had earlier indicated they would attend, but they ultimately failed to appear. The prosecution reported that its witnesses were present.
Justice Nwite responded by issuing bench warrants for their immediate arrest and adjourned the matter until February 24, 2026, for the next stage of the trial.
The bench warrant order reflects renewed momentum in prosecuting a case that had been re-listed only weeks earlier after the federal government successfully moved to reopen the charges following a 2025 attempt by the defence to have the matter struck out for lack of diligent prosecution.
The suspects deny involvement in the alleged offences, but the government’s legal team argues that their repeated absences hinder the judicial process in an important national security case.